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STATE REPRESENTATIVES
STATE SENATE
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SAMUEL A. AZZINARO
REPRESENTATIVE
District 37
BRIAN PATRICK KENNEDY
REPRESENTATIVE
District 38
VICTORIA GU
SENATOR
District 38
TOWN COUNCIL
CHRIS
DUHAMEL
ALEX
HEALY
MIKE
NIEMEYER
MARY SCIALABBA
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
LESLIE
DUNN
ANGELA
GOETHALS
TIMOTHY
KILLAM
PETER L.
NERO
MIKE
OBER
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUEL A. AZZINARO
District 37
Samuel A. Azzinaro (D) has served the residents of District 37 in Westerly since first elected in November 2008. He is Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and serves as a member of the Innovation & Technology Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the House Special Legislation Committee.
During the 2021 legislative session, Chairman Azzinaro continued to focus on the health and well-being of Rhode Island’s veterans. He sponsored a new law allowing the director of Veterans' Services to appoint an administrator for the RI Veterans’ Home who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces. He was also the sponsor of another new law which allows business vehicles--owned by a veteran entity and registered and authorized to conduct business in the state of Rhode Island--to register such business vehicles with veteran plates.
He chaired a commission which led to the 2020 dedication and unveiling of a new memorial to the nine Rhode Island Marines killed in the 1983 Beirut bombing attack. The memorial is located along the Providence River.
In 2019, Sam was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the group’s Legislative Award due to his consistent and tireless advocacy for veterans’ issues at the State House.
He was instrumental in creating the Westerly Higher Education and Job Skills Center, which is training individuals in high-skilled manufacturing jobs. Sam helped to develop the concept for the center, obtain the funding and secure partnerships with colleges and businesses.
Representative Azzinaro previously served for 12 years on the Westerly Town Council, including four years as its President, and six years on the Westerly Recreation Board, including three years as its chairman.
He served in the RI National Guard for four years plus an additional two years’ active duty and two years’ inactive duty as a member of the Army Reserves, for a total of eight years of service. Sam was a Staff Sergeant E6.
Representative Azzinaro was born in 1943. He is a retired textile worker, business owner, and carpenter, and resides in Westerly with his wife, Carol. They have five children, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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Brian Patrick Kennedy is a Westerly resident who has been honored to serve the people in the 38th District for 36-years in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He is Speaker Pro Tempore of the House, the Dean of the House and the past Chairman of the House Committee on Corporations. Brian is a member of the House Rules Committee, the House Committee on State Government and Elections and the House Committee on Innovation, Internet and Technology.
Brian is the owner of Kennedy Realty & Appraisal in Ashaway. He was educated in the Chariho Regional School district and received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major from Providence College. Brian is an active member of many state and local community organizations including the Cox Charitable Foundation. At the national level, Brian serves as the President of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the premiere bi-partisan organization and the laboratory of democracy for state legislators and legislative staff.
Brian was a champion in the phase-out of the motor vehicle excise tax which has helped save Westerly residents local property tax. In addition, Brian sponsored legislation that was enacted into law that allowed Westerly to increase the property tax exemptions for veterans and widows of veterans, while increasing the holdings of the Westerly Public Library.
Brian has been the sponsor of numerous consumer protection laws including consumer privacy of personal information, tighter regulation of credit reporting agencies and placing consumer protections on non-regulated power suppliers to protect RI residents who choose an alternative electricity supplier. He authored the law that mandates that gift cards and gift certificates cannot have an expiration date in RI and also prevents businesses from charging monthly fees to deplete the value of the gift card.
Brian sponsored the law to allow telemedicine in the State to provide RI citizens with greater access to healthcare providers, which was utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic. Brian also authored the Pharmacy Freedom of Choice law that allows consumer to choose the pharmacy they want to fill their prescriptions. He sponsored the law that limits the co-pay on insulin to $40 and also authored the law to extend Medicare supplement insurance policies to those under age 65. In 2024, the Rhode Island State Nurses Association honored Brian with the President’s Award for leading a 2023 study commission that resulted in his sponsorship of and the passage of the Nurse Licensure Compact Act by the General Assembly.
During his time of service, he has authored numerous insurance laws that benefit our military, homeowners and the business community, including providing consumers with plain and simple disclosure of homeowner insurance deductibles for storm-related damage. Brian is a strong advocate for the people in his legislative district. Real Action, Real Results and Always Fighting on YOUR Behalf.
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PATRICK KENNEDY
District 38
Senator Victoria Gu was elected to the Senate in November 2022.
A leader on climate issues, Sen. Gu passed the Act on Coasts and helped secure an additional $5 million in Green Bond funding for municipal climate resilience projects. She also strengthened mental health protections by advocating for Medicaid reimbursement for school social workers and psychologists and led legislation requiring AI chatbot companions to include safeguards for
users in crisis.
In her second term, Sen. Gu passed a law requiring oceanfront properties to disclose the public’s shoreline access rights and a law protecting against new parking restrictions near rights-of-way to the water. She also passed a law requiring insurers to provide at least 60 days’ notice before non-renewing homeowners’ insurance policies, giving families more time to find
coverage in a more challenging market.
Looking ahead, Sen. Gu is focused on reforming for-profit utilities like RI Energy, upgrading Westerly Station for more frequent, affordable transportation, and securing long-term funding for community paramedicine programs that improve access to primary care.
Sen. Gu grew up in South Kingstown and graduated from South Kingstown High School and Harvard University. She works as a software engineer and data analyst and now resides in Westerly.
Sen. Gu can be reached at (401) 388-0696 and sen-gu@rilegislature.gov
SENATOR VICTORIA GU
District 38
Chris Duhamel is a vice president of DiPrete Engineering and has been a professional engineer and land surveyor for over 40 years. He and his wife of 42 years, Aggie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. Chris attends St. Pius X Church and is an adjunct professor at URI. He was a member of the Westerly Planning Board for 13 years and currently volunteers as a member of the State of RI Professional Engineering Board of Registration. Chris is a former volunteer for Westerly Pee Wee Football and Westerly National Little League, serving as President.
Chris is our current Town Council President and, prior to the 2024 election, served on the Town Council for 18 years. With his expertise as an environmental engineer, he served on the building committees which constructed two new schools and renovated three more. Chris chaired the building committee for the Westerly Department of Public Works highway garage, salt sheds, and recycling area. He supported Stand Up for Animals in construction of the Westerly Animal Shelter. After the devastating 2010 flood and Super Storm Sandy, Chris served on subcommittees to rebuild both the Westerly Town Beach pavilion and Westerly’s North End. He helped secure funding for purchase of the Bradford preserve open space. Chris served on the public works committee that managed repair of the water department infrastructure with the construction of the 1 MG Winnapaug Water Tank, a 500 mgd Bradford public well, a 20-inch water main from White Rock wells, and the drinking water purification system. Over his terms of service, he worked to prioritize road and utility infrastructure improvements without increasing taxes.
Chris believes that Westerly is an incredible place to live and raise a family. He recognizes that the spirit of volunteerism in our community is unique. Chris knows it is important to protect our town and schoolchildren and support our future generations by providing responsible government. Given Westerly’s challenges to rebuild our sewer treatment plant, repair our roads, and build affordable housing, the Town Council will continue to rely on Chris’s environmental engineering knowledge and seasoned community advocacy.
CHRIS DUHAMEL
Town Council, President
Alexandra Healy is serving her first term on the Westerly Town Council, where she is known for thoughtful decision-making, constituent advocacy, and transparent government. A Bradford resident since 2016, she lives with her husband and two sons and is committed to preserving Westerly as a special place to live, work, and raise a family. As Deputy Accounting Clerk for the Town of Hopkinton, with prior municipal planning experience, Alex brings practical knowledge of local financial, operational, and planning challenges to the Council.
Since taking office in December 2024, she has focused on responsible growth, community character, and responsive government. She chairs the Council’s Appointments Subcommittee and serves as liaison to the Westerly Housing Authority, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Recreation Board, and Housing Committee. Alex led the bipartisan effort to create the Housing Committee, earning unanimous Council approval, and continues to pursue solutions for senior, workforce, affordable, low- and moderate-income, and accessible housing. She has supported responsible investments in schools, recreation, arts and culture, housing studies, planning, and community services, while advocating for greater school funding and stronger municipal planning capacity.
A longtime Bradford advocate, Alex helped plan an ADA-accessible multigenerational recreation complex at the former Bradford Elementary School and led efforts to preserve the Bowling Lane basketball court for public use. She has also pursued traffic and safety improvements, monitored environmental remediation at the former Bradford Dyeing Association property, and worked to keep Bradford’s voice strong in local government.
Alex champions public shoreline access, transparency, official training, and easier public access to municipal information. Her current priorities include responsible growth, housing, environmental stewardship, recreation, neighborhood character, short-term rental policy, and data center development. Beyond the Council, she serves as Second Vice Chair of the Westerly Democratic Town Committee, organizing events, fundraisers, and volunteer initiatives, including a food drive that collected more than 1,785 pounds for local families. Alex remains committed to expanding opportunity and accessibility so every Westerly neighborhood shares in the community’s success.
ALEX HEALY
Town Council
Michael Niemeyer is a husband, father of three and longtime resident of Westerly who is committed to ensuring that Westerly's future is bright. His career in grants administration has been centered on public service, and he brings that same commitment to his candidacy for the Westerly Town Council.
Michael holds a degree in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo. He recently served as Secretary on the Westerly Town Council’s Advisory Charter Revision Commission, where he proposed an amendment to make it easier for voters to recall town councilors.
MIKE NIEMEYER
Town Council
Mary Scialabba has proudly called Westerly home for twenty-one years and is honored to serve on the Westerly Town Council through 2028. Deeply invested in the community, she prioritizes neighbors’ health and well-being and maintains training, including suicide prevention certification, to provide effective support.
Mental health advocacy has been central to Mary’s public service. She spearheaded Westerly’s first mental health resource center, which recently celebrated its third anniversary. With Police Chief Gingerella, she reopened the North End substation to give mental health professionals additional space to assist residents. The Westerly Ambulance Corp now partners with the mental health resource center by providing hygiene kits to the public via this location. She continues working with local nonprofits and volunteers to expand access to community resources.
Known for compassion and dedication to Westerly residents, Mary advocates for transparent town government and believes everyone deserves a voice. She approaches challenges with responsibility and remains committed to helping Westerly become an even stronger place for families and the workforce to thrive.
At the request of Westerly High School’s culinary division chef, Jamie Finkelstein, Mary also supports a food recovery program. Since partnering with Westerly Public Schools’ Highland Grille on February 13, 2026, the initiative has distributed more than 1,000 student-prepared meals to people in need while reducing landfill waste.
Mary holds multiple undergraduate degrees from Johnson & Wales University and a master’s degree in finance from Sacred Heart University. She is a licensed CNA, holds a certificate in mental health suicide prevention, and has served as president of the Crossroads Condominium Association since 2012. Her community affiliations include the Westerly Armory, Westerly Historical Society, Greater North End Community Development, Inc., and Christ Episcopal Church. She also co-founded a neighborhood watch with two nearby condominium associations.
Her statewide work includes the Rhode Island Parity Initiative and collaboration with the State Insurance Commission on mental health. Locally, she has served on committees addressing plastics utilization and commerce, economic development, and health and wellness. Through town halls and continued advocacy, she remains focused on mental health education, physical wellness, and food security for all.
Mary is grateful for the community’s ongoing support and looks forward to continuing her service to Westerly.
MARY SCIALABBA
Town Council, Vice-President
LESLIE DUNN
School Committee, Chair
Leslie Dunn moved to Westerly at the age of 6 years old. She attended Westerly Public Schools and is a 2010 WHS graduate. From a young age Leslie has been active in the community, volunteering at events, participating in clubs/orgs, interning and working with local businesses and always returning to support local initiatives.
It is essential to do more than just talk about the issues affecting our communities; in the past few years it has become very important for Leslie to align herself with action-based initiatives and stay involved in discussions that will affect underrepresented communities and individuals. As a founding member of Westerly Anti-Racism Leslie continues to advocate for advancing the conversation around embracing diversity throughout the community.
A large part of why she does the work she does is her desire to see more diversity in the community and representation in schools, town offices, government positions and business ownership. Leslie is motivated by the hope that if the small community of Westerly can make changes there's so much more that can be done on a larger scale to effect change.
Leslie was elected to the Westerly School Committee in 2022. She is committed to seeing the district build and maintain a welcoming, supportive environment that upholds the mission to help every student reach their level of success.
MICHAEL OBER
School Committee
Michael Ober lives on Sherwood Drive in Westerly with his wife, Tammy, and his two sons, Zachary and Nathaniel. Michael has worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for the last 36 years. He currently serves as a representative of the Department of Social Services Strategic Development Team.
Michael earned a master’s degree in public administration in 2012. He was a member of the Westerly School Committee from 1998 to 2004 and rejoined the School Committee in 2020. Michael has served as Vice Chair of the School Committee since 2024. During Michael’s School Committee tenure from 1998 to 2004, a new Superintendent was hired, a technology director was hired to improve technological platforms and applications, and academic performance improved across the board. Westerly High School was renovated, which created a campus setting that included an expansion to Babcock Hall; the construction of Westerly Middle School followed.
Upon his return to the School Committee in 2020, Michael helped develop policy to
reopen Westerly schools during COVID and policy to govern cell phone use. He has worked successfully to improve Westerly Public Schools’ academic performance. As a member of the Westerly Public Schools’ Building Subcommittee since 2020, Michael has overseen renovations at Dunns Conners and Springbrook Elementary Schools and the construction of a new State Street School. He has served as Vice Chair of the Town of Westerly’s Board of Finance and as Vice Chair of Westerly Municipal Land Trust. Michael’s experience with Westerly Public Schools, municipal budgeting processes, dealing with government agencies, and developing policies to address issues facing our school district will make Michael an effective member of the Westerly Town Council.
Angela Goethals was born and raised in NYC by a single mother (with the help of her Nana.) She and her younger sister witnessed first-hand the dedication and resilience required to balance work and family life. As a 6-year-old she fell in love with theatre, watching the summer Shakespeare productions on which her mother worked behind the scenes.
Angela attended NYC public schools including New York’s prestigious Stuyvesant High School, all while acting professionally on Broadway and in film and television. She graduated with honors from Vassar College with a degree in French and shortly thereafter met the love of her life (now husband of almost 20 years), Russell Soder (a native of Warwick), when they acted together in an off-Broadway play.
Settled in Westerly since 2017 when their oldest started Kindergarten at State Street School, Angela has been active in both the State Street PTO and on the School Improvement Team as well as having proudly served on the Health and Wellness Subcommittee for the last several years.
She currently has a WMS rising 7th grader, SSS rising 3rd grader and our sweet Covid baby (born at South County Hospital in April 2020) who thinks he goes to all the schools but actually attends the amazing Babcock Inclusionary Preschool.
Angela, as an actor/audiobook narrator/artist, is a creature of community, of collaboration, of problem solving, curiosity and truthful communication. She has been humbled and inspired by her experiences teaching English to French high school students during college and teaching acting at the Portside Arts Center in Philly from 2014-2015. Most recently she hosts ESL classes over Zoom to students in Ukraine.
Angela comes from a lineage of educators on her mother’s side which has instilled a deep respect for teachers (Westerly truly has some of the best). And, as a mom of three current WPS kiddos, she is real-time, all in, heart-centered and hopeful.
ANGELA GOETHALS
School Committee
Timothy C. Killam was born in Westerly and raised in Noank & Stonington CT. Tim moved back to Westerly with his family in 2005. He has three sons, one Fourth Grade student at Dunn's Corners School and two graduates of Westerly High School, classes of 2022 and 2026. Tim entered the workforce in the marine industry out of high school and attended trade school courses while working full time. Today Tim is a Partner of Dockside Electronics in Mystic CT, a highly successful marine electronics business. Tim and his wife have been licensed DCYF Foster and Adoptive Parents. Special education holds a special place in Tim's heart, having two special education students over the years. Tim was the leader of the Westerly Special Education Local Advisory Committee (WSELAC) until his election to the school committee in 2024. Since elected, Tim has remained a part of the WSELAC as the committee liaison to the Westerly School Committee.
Tim was originally appointed to the Westerly School Committee in 2019 by the Town Council and in 2020 was elected Vice Chairman of the Westerly School Committee. Tim was elected to the Westerly School Committee in 2024 and currently serves as clerk of the committee. Tim has served on multiple hiring committees for the district, has successfully helped the district hire several administrators, and has served on the Building Subcommittee. Running a small business has allowed Tim a deep understanding of budgets and responsible spending. Furthermore, running the small business has afforded Tim the flexibility to dedicate extra time toward the responsibilities of a school committee member. Tim supports expanding elementary schools’ staffing to target our ability to retain students from out-of-district placements and attracting students to our district as a top school system in Rhode Island.
Tim lives in Bradford with his wife and three sons. In his free time, he enjoys camping and boating along with spending time with his family and their three dogs.
TIMOTHY KILLAM
School Committee, Clerk
Peter L. Nero invested in a career as a 47-year public educator. After beginning his teaching career in Stoughton, MA, he embarked on 34-year role as an educator in Cranston Public Schools. Peter then became Superintendent of North Stonington Public Schools, serving in that capacity for 10 years. Peter and his wife Linda, a retired dental assistant, moved to Westerly 14 years ago to be closer to his new position and, most importantly, the wonderful lifestyle the Town of Westerly has to offer. Peter and Linda are members of St. Michael the Archangel Church. They have one son, Michael, who resides in Duluth, GA, where he is in law enforcement and serves as a Senior Deputy Sheriff in Gwinnett County. Mike graduated from Cranston West High School and received his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from URI. Elected to the Westerly School Committee in November of 2024, Peter’s term expires in December of 2028.
As a member of the school committee, Peter was part of a team that represented the Committee along with the administration in successful negotiations with the Westerly Teachers’ Association (WTA.) That contract began August 1, 2025 and expires August 31, 2028. The agreement includes mutually beneficial language that will lead to both increased efficiencies and a safer school environment. In
addition to an excellent benefit package, the contract provides for wages that are both fair to the WTA and affordable to the Westerly taxpayers.
Peter serves as Chairperson on the Westerly School Committee Finance Subcommittee. The subcommittee includes three members of the school committee, the Superintendent of Schools and the Director of Finance and Operations. Monthly meetings are held. Our charge is to provide guidance to the entire Committee as they make fiscal decisions. One of the primary goals of the committee for FY 2025-2026 was to update several fiscal related policies that were about to expire or needed revision due to changes in law and/or regulation. With his vast educational experience, Peter consistently provided valuable input on many issues and concerns over the course of the first two years of his term.
